An email I just received:
I am writing this after seeing what happened to the Ethiopian opposition and protestors on TV, that AID IS NOT THE ONLY ANSWER TO AFRICA.
As majority of Ethiopians, I hoped the recent elections there would bring a viable mature opposition who can work as partners with the ruling party. But that was a delusion like most countries in Africa where so called leaders and ruling parties think every opposition is bad and unnecessary.
I feel depressed when people like Museveni, Meles Zenawi or leaders who holds power for more than 10-15 years as emerging stars of democracy. I think aloud what make them different form Mugabe, Sani Abacha, Mubarak, Idi Amin Dada or Mobutu? Of course there was no difference; all of them were clinging to power forever.
So I wondered if Mr. Tony Blair or Mr. George Bush demanded the following that there may be future for Africa
1. No leader in Africa should be in office or power for more than 8 years or so.
Surely out of 800 million or so people one can get as many as needed leaders or 'emerging stars of democracy'.
2. Demanding African leaders on their state visits to Europe or America to bring along several opposition leaders.
3. Ensuring the safety of journalists who are 'bad' or 'good'.
4. Demanding that parties rid of ethnic politics.
5. demanding that african countries shouldn't have more than 50,000 soldiers and police.
Unless these things are demanded by western countries, we Africans will continue like before watch hated leaders who repress their population for more than 15 years being hailed as 'emerging stars of democracy'.
And like before we'll just watch governments and their leaders who are feared like God or Satan pocketing any aid or loan in the name of poor, hungry, sick and homeless people.
I was dreaming of my Ethiopia with several opposing parties who could sit and debate the country's woes. But I guess I was dreaming ahead of time and I am sure that every single penny in AID to Ethiopia will make a differece for our leaders, not for us.
